DGP suspends IIC after youth ‘commits suicide’ in police custody

Kendrapara: Odisha DGP R P Sharma today suspended the Mahakalpada police station IIC Shyamaghana Behera for ‘dereliction of duty’ after a youth picked in connection with mobile theft was reportedly found dead under mysterious circumstances. The DGP also directed the Kendrapara SP to take strict action against other police personnel of the police station.

The Mahakalpada police claimed that the accused -Abhinash Paital escaped from their custody on the pretext of going outdoors for urination. Later, his body was found hanging from stairways of a nearby house, around 100 meters from the police station. However, family members of the deceased alleged murder and accused the police of creating the ‘escape’ story in a bid to cover up their crime.

“The cops nabbed my son yesterday and asked us to arrange money for his release. Today his body was found hanging. The policemen have tortured him to death and later hanged him to cover up the incident,” said Sarat Chandra Paital, father of the deceased.A large number of locals staged road blockade demanding compensation and employment for family of the deceased following the news of the death spread today morning.

“The family should be paid a compensation of at least Rs 30 lakh. The concerned IIC has to be suspended. We will continue the road blockade till the compensation is announced,” said Bikram Keshari Das, Sarpanch of Dasipur. Following the protest, senior police personnel and officials from the district administration rushed to the spot and held discussions to resolve the matter.

Additional SP Arjun Jena, said, “We have released Rs 60,000 for the last rites of the deceased. Another Rs 1.5 lakh will be released soon. Besides, wife of the deceased will be engaged as homeguard.”